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[Sent at 5:17 p.m. Tuesday] On March 8, 2011, just after 1:00 pm, the Berkeley Police Department received a call of “loud reports” in the area of the 1600 block of Blake St.

Officers investigating the call ultimately located an unresponsive adult male, apparently shot, in the rear yard of a house on the 1600 block of Blake St. Berkeley Fire Department paramedics confirmed the victim’s death at the scene.

Berkeley Police Homicide detectives are investigating the matter as a homicide. We are not releasing the identity of the deceased at this time.

The investigation is in its earliest stages. We have no suspect information to share at this time. There have been no arrests in this case.

Anyone who may have any information regarding this crime is urged to call the BPD Homicide Detail at (510) 981-5741 (office) or (510) 981-5900.

We do not anticipate releasing any further information regarding this incident today. Sgt. Kusmiss will likely be back at work tomorrow, Wednesday, March 9.